Justus A. W. Horstman
Engineers at Paintbrush Trl, Boulder, CO

5326045, Jul 5, 1994

Apr 20, 1993

8/050506

Michael V. Konshak - Louisville CO
Justus A. W. Horstman - Boulder CO

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

G03B 102

242358

A leader block is provided for connection to a free end of storage tape media. The leader block includes a main body and a clamp member. The main body and clamp member define a space for receiving the free end of the storage tape media. A punch member is joined to the clamp member. The main body, the clamp member and the punch member are parts of a single, integral device that is preferably made by molding. After the storage tape media is inserted into the receiving space between the main body and the clamp member, the clamp member is caused to move relative to the main body by applying sufficient, predetermined shear forces. The punch member is also caused to move relative to the clamp member. The storage tape media is sandwiched between the main body and the clamp member using forces provided by the punch member and clamping forces caused by the main body and the clamp member.

5431356, Jul 11, 1995

Sep 3, 1993

8/115751

Justus A. W. Horstman - Boulder CO
Michael V. Konshak - Louisville CO

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

G11B 2304

2423482

A take-up reel assembly for use with a single-reel tape cartridge in a cartridge-based tape transport includes a take-up reel and a leader block. The take-up reel includes an annular hub having an axis of rotation and a radial surface adapted to have the tape wound thereon. A radial slot in the hub extends from the radial surface towards the axis of rotation. The leader block is configured for attachment to a free end of a length of tape in the tape cartridge. The leader block has a shape substantially the same as the shape of the radial slot in the hub of the take-up reel. The leader block has a first end adapted for coupling with a threading post and a second end having an end surface with a radius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the radial surface of the hub so that when the leader block is pulled into the slot by a loading post, first and second leader block edges of the end surface substantially mate with first and second hub edges of the radial surface to cover the slot. The first and second leader block edges and the first and second hub edges are radiused to substantially eliminate tape damage caused by impressioning.

5551139, Sep 3, 1996

May 23, 1994

8/247568

Michael V. Konshak - Louisville CO
Justus A. W. Horstman - Boulder CO

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

B23P 1904, G03B 140

294322

A leader block is provided for connection to a free end of storage tape media. The leader block includes a main body and a clamp member. The main body and clamp member define a space for receiving the free end of the storage tape media. A punch member is joined to the clamp member. The main body, the clamp member and the punch member are parts of a single, integral device that is preferably made by molding. After the storage tape media is inserted into the receiving space between the main body and the clamp member, the clamp member is caused to move relative to the main body by applying sufficient, predetermined shear forces. The punch member is also caused to move relative to the clamp member. The storage tape media is sandwiched between the main body and the clamp member using forces provided by the punch member and clamping forces caused by the main body and the clamp member.